Which Home Buyers Survey should you select?

Homebuyer Report in Melbourne

The Homebuyer Report is the right choice when planning to purchase a home made of conventional materials such as brick & tile, not dilapidated and constructed after 1900.

Building Survey in Melbourne

The Building Survey (previously called a Full Structural Survey in Melbourne) will also be conducted by a RICS accredited surveyor but is more comprehensive. Select this when buying a non standard e.g. mundic or older properties.

Property Valuation Report in Melbourne

This is an independent valuation of the property. This report is often chosen by mortgage free buyers or anyone needing a formal valuation e.g. a dispute.

Reviews

Melbourne Surveyors

"Surveyor Local were fast, affordable and thorough. I couldn't fault them in any way."

Is it best to select a HomeBuyer Report, Full Structural Survey or Building Survey for a home in Melbourne and which would be cheaper?

The Full Structural Survey is now called a Building Survey but is effectively the same.

If the Melbourne property is a flat, or is 100 or more years old, or has been extended, or is built of unusual materials, RICS advise the cheaper HomeBuyer Report.

If you intend to make an extension, RICS advise you select a Building Survey. This more detailed survey is not as cheap but it will offer a thorough analysis of the Melbourne property's condition and it includes advice on structural defects and maintenance options .

For further advice you can get a Melbourne Survey Quote via our website or call us 0800 038 6667 to speak to a member of our team.

What kind of problems will the Property Surveyor look for on a stucco coated home in Melbourne.

Stucco is really a type of solid render. Commonly stucco render is applied to red brick hardens to form a smooth and attractive finish. The finish is very grand in appearance and is common on some Victorian and Regency properties. Expert tradesmen who work with it say it is similar to plaster or mortar. Stucco is often problematic and Melbourne surveyors sometimes show defects such as when stucco is exposed to on-going weathering which gets saturated prone to damage from frost

Another example of problems associated with stucco may result from the difficulty is discovering damp underneath. Fixing problems with stucco can be surprisingly expensive as the skills are getting more difficult to find.

Can Wooton stone-built houses be problematic. Are there any issues that need to be investigated? Does the surveyor give advice on this?

Ranging from Red St.Bees Sandstone to Purbeck Royal Bed Limestone, the stone used in a home's structure will impact maintenance. Issues including spalling brick affect many stone-walled buildings in Melbourne. Regular stone describes cut stone, generally forming brick-like courses. These may require less maintenance than more irregularly built walls, but this is heavily dependent on the type of stone used. Both regular or irregular stone can be mortared with lime-based mortar, though the use of this declined with the introduction of cement. These walls will need frequent upkeep.

Ask you surveyor for details, but the report may specify fast replacement of any stones which have become loose.

We are buying a home in Melbourne and saw cracks across the render on the outside walls. How could this affect the property, and what can be done to remedy subsidence if subsidence is found during the house survey?

Subsidence is movement in a building's foundations. In the majority of cases, subsidence can be resolved. In some older buildings cracks appear in Summer[ that close up in the winter] when the materials soak up moisture.

There are a number of factors capable of causing subsidence to Melbourne homes. For example, water leaking from a broken pipes will remove layers of soil from around the foundations. This can effectively reduce the volume of the soil surrounding the structure, meaning it can no longer support the weight of the building. Signs of potential subsidence include doors and windows which stick.

Finding the cause of any subsidence is key.This need not be expensive.Though tree roots are often the cause, removal of this plant life may make the problem worse, so professional advice should be sought. Existing trees must be well managed, and new trees should be planted at a safe distance from the exterior walls of the property. Willow trees, for example, are often the culprits of serious subsidence. Buyers are often surprised to learn that a willow tree should be planted no neared than 40m from a home. If the load-bearing parts of the property have been damaged, these may be repaired with steel rods, fixed into place with cement to restore the structural integrity of the building. Unfortunately, even with professional help, a definite diagnosis can in rare cases take months. A Melbourne surveyor can offer some advice and guidance if this may be the case.

Is it best to select a HomeBuyer Report, Full Structural Survey or Building Survey for a home in Melbourne and which would be cheaper?

The Full Structural Survey is now called a Building Survey but is effectively the same.

If the Melbourne property is a flat, or is 100 or more years old, or has been extended, or is built of unusual materials, RICS advise the cheaper HomeBuyer Report.

If you intend to make an extension, RICS advise you select a Building Survey. This more detailed survey is not as cheap but it will offer a thorough analysis of the Melbourne property's condition and it includes advice on structural defects and maintenance options .

For further advice you can get a Melbourne Survey Quote via our website or call us 0800 038 6667 to speak to a member of our team.

What kind of problems will the Property Surveyor look for on a stucco coated home in Melbourne.

Stucco is really a type of solid render. Commonly stucco render is applied to red brick hardens to form a smooth and attractive finish. The finish is very grand in appearance and is common on some Victorian and Regency properties. Expert tradesmen who work with it say it is similar to plaster or mortar. Stucco is often problematic and Melbourne surveyors sometimes show defects such as when stucco is exposed to on-going weathering which gets saturated prone to damage from frost

Another example of problems associated with stucco may result from the difficulty is discovering damp underneath. Fixing problems with stucco can be surprisingly expensive as the skills are getting more difficult to find.

Can Wooton stone-built houses be problematic. Are there any issues that need to be investigated? Does the surveyor give advice on this?

Ranging from Red St.Bees Sandstone to Purbeck Royal Bed Limestone, the stone used in a home's structure will impact maintenance. Issues including spalling brick affect many stone-walled buildings in Melbourne. Regular stone describes cut stone, generally forming brick-like courses. These may require less maintenance than more irregularly built walls, but this is heavily dependent on the type of stone used. Both regular or irregular stone can be mortared with lime-based mortar, though the use of this declined with the introduction of cement. These walls will need frequent upkeep.

Ask you surveyor for details, but the report may specify fast replacement of any stones which have become loose.

We are buying a home in Melbourne and saw cracks across the render on the outside walls. How could this affect the property, and what can be done to remedy subsidence if subsidence is found during the house survey?

Subsidence is movement in a building's foundations. In the majority of cases, subsidence can be resolved. In some older buildings cracks appear in Summer[ that close up in the winter] when the materials soak up moisture.

There are a number of factors capable of causing subsidence to Melbourne homes. For example, water leaking from a broken pipes will remove layers of soil from around the foundations. This can effectively reduce the volume of the soil surrounding the structure, meaning it can no longer support the weight of the building. Signs of potential subsidence include doors and windows which stick.

Finding the cause of any subsidence is key.This need not be expensive.Though tree roots are often the cause, removal of this plant life may make the problem worse, so professional advice should be sought. Existing trees must be well managed, and new trees should be planted at a safe distance from the exterior walls of the property. Willow trees, for example, are often the culprits of serious subsidence. Buyers are often surprised to learn that a willow tree should be planted no neared than 40m from a home. If the load-bearing parts of the property have been damaged, these may be repaired with steel rods, fixed into place with cement to restore the structural integrity of the building. Unfortunately, even with professional help, a definite diagnosis can in rare cases take months. A Melbourne surveyor can offer some advice and guidance if this may be the case.